Updated
Overview
Vietnam and Iran are nearly matched in population: 101.60 million versus 92.42 million people (2025).
Vietnam's economy is about 40% larger than Iran's, at $514.70B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Vietnam is the wealthier of the two: $5,066 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Iran | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $514.70B | $362.68B | 2025 | $476.39B / $436.91B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $5,066 | $3,924 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | -2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 42.2% | 2025 | 3.6% / 32.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $1,264 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 92.42 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 89.18 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 34.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.67 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 85% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 1,648,195 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 56.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 371 Mt | 793 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $7.89B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 2.0% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 650,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Vietnam grew while the other economy contracted: 8.0% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.3%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 33.4 (Vietnam) and 34.0 (Iran).
Life expectancy is 3.1 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 74.7).
Iran is considerably more urbanized: 77% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 80% smaller than Iran: 331,212 km² versus 1,648,195 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 56.
Military
Iran spends about 45% more on defence than Vietnam: $7.89B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 522,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Iran?
- Iran is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Iran covers 1,648,195 km², so Iran is 5.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Iran?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 92.42 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Iran?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Vietnam is richer: $5,066 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $362.68B for Iran.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Iran?
- Iran spends more: $7.89B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).